Vehicle mounted locking firearm support

Abstract

Modular, firearm support cradles, an assembled rack and means for securing the cradles and rack to a variety of vehicle configurations. The rack includes a longitudinal frame member and from which project multiple padded cradles. Strap fasteners and lock means respectively restrain firearms and sundry paraphernalia to the cradles and rack. A telescoping expander bar assembly and mating extension arms permit a vehicle ceiling mount and/or roll bar mount of the rack. Cradles having sleeves which mate to the expander bar assembly facilitate user tailored mountings. A clamp plate assembly and mating extension arms permit a vertical divider mount of the rack.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. Firearm support apparatus for securing a firearm inside the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle comprising: (a) a vehicle support including first and second members mounted to extend and retract in relation to one another and further including attachment means for securing an end of each of the first and second members to the motor vehicle; and   b) a cradle support rigidly mounted to said vehicle support and including i) a longitudinal member mounted to extend parallel to the vehicle support, ii) an arm rigidly mounted to said longitudinal member to extend transverse to said longitudinal member, iii) a cradle having a firearm support recess secured to a distal end of said arm, iv) lock means mounted to said longitudinal member and displaced laterally of said cradle for containing a portion of the firearm in a clamp space, and v) wherein said firearm support recess and said clamp space are oriented to support the firearm to extend parallel to said vehicle support.   
     
     
       2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said lock means includes a body and a retainer arm mounted to said body at a pivot and wherein said retainer arm pivots to encircle said firearm in the clamp space and latch to said body. 
     
     
       3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2 including means for remotely releasing said retainer arm from latched engagement to said body. 
     
     
       4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said attachment means includes means for varying the separation of said vehicle support from a mounting surface of the passenger compartment. 
     
     
       5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein at least one of said first and second members is tubular and the other of said first and second members is mounted to telescope within the other. 
     
     
       6. Firearm support apparatus for securing a firearm inside the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle comprising: (a) a vehicle support including first and second members mounted to telescope from one another and further including a plurality of mounting brackets to secure an end of each of the first and second members to the motor vehicle;   (b) a cradle support rigidly mounted to said vehicle support and including i) a longitudinal member mounted to extend parallel to the vehicle support, ii) a cradle rigidly mounted to said longitudinal member and having a firearm support recess exposed transverse to said longitudinal member, iii) a plate secured to said longitudinal member and displaced laterally of said cradle, iv) lock means secured to said plate for containing a portion of the firearm in a clamp space, and v) wherein said firearm support recess and said clamp space are oriented to displace and contain the firearm to extend parallel to said vehicle support.   
     
     
       7. Firearm support apparatus for securing a firearm in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle comprising: (a) a vehicle support including first and second members mounted to extend and retract in relation to one another and further including attachment means for securing an end of each of the first and second members to the motor vehicle; and   b) a cradle support rigidly mounted to said vehicle support and including i) a longitudinal member mounted to extend parallel to the vehicle support, ii) first and second cradles rigidly mounted to first and second arms that extend transverse from said longitudinal member and wherein said first and second cradles each have a firearm support recess, iii) lock means secured to said longitudinal member for containing a portion of the firearm in a clamp space, and iv) wherein said firearm support recess and said lock means are oriented to support the firearm to extend parallel to said vehicle support.   
     
     
       8. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein one of said first and second cradles comprises a lock having a body and a retainer arm, wherein the retainer arm is mounted to said body at a pivot and wherein said retainer arm pivots to encircle a firearm in the clamp space and latch to said body. 
     
     
       9. Firearm support apparatus for securing a firearm in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle comprising: (a) a vehicle support including first and second members mounted to extend and retract in coaxial relation to one another and further including a plurality of brackets to secure an end of each of the first and second members to a motor vehicle to substantially span a ceiling of the passenger compartment; and   b) a cradle support rigidly mounted to said vehicle support and including i) a longitudinal member mounted to extend parallel to the vehicle support, ii) first and second cradles rigidly mounted to said longitudinal member and each having a firearm support recess exposed transverse to said longitudinal member, iii) a lock comprising a body and a retainer arm, wherein the retainer arm is mounted to said body at a pivot and wherein said retainer arm pivots to encircle a firearm in a clamp space and latch to said body, and iv) wherein said firearm support recess and said clamp space are oriented to support the firearm to extend parallel to said vehicle support adjacent the ceiling of the passenger compartment.